Plymouth Town (part 29 of 54)

Mr. Barrows waa a member of the Central Congregational Church. He was not largely identified in political or town affairs, aa he devoted liiuiself entirely to hia business. He waa chairman of the committee for the construction of the town-house, and it ia to hia perseverance and labor that the town is largely indebted for the fine structure which they now enjoy. The architect and contractor having died early in the work of its erection, and having no written plans of the building, Mr. Barrows, himself a practical builder, took upon himself the heavy task of superintending the work. To thia extra responsibility and mental labor, added to the demands of his own business, was partially attributed the ill health from which he suffered for a number of years. In his death, which occurred May 24, 18So, the town lost not only one of its most active business men, but au euterprisiug, public-spirited citizuu, who, wlien uot tbo pioneer of some village impruveuieut, was always a ready champion in such work. The following, contributed by one of liis personal and business friends, will show the estimation of Mr. Barrows by tliose who knew him best : " Possessing an ambition and enterprise above that of most young men with his surroundings, he left his native town and came to Middleboro', where as a carpenter ho at his trade for some years. This offered in prospect only hard work, and at last only a competency, and the same spirit which drew him from his early home now led him to leave his trade and com- UJUQCC the manufacture of siioes. Witli slight exceptions his business was uniformly successful, and from small beginnings grew to be the largest in town and among the largest in the county. Schooled from early youth to habits of industry aud economy, he ever retained them, and these with a successful business made him a wealthy man. Shrewd in his dealings, reliable in his promises, of good judgment, a constant reader, he kept well posted on all the leading subjects of his day, and was one of our most prominent and reliable citizens. Slow to reach conclusions, yet firm in his convictions when formed, no opposition or difficulties seemed to move him from Lis fixed purposes. Our magnificent town-house is a monument to his taste and judgment, and to his persevering push through difficulties and opposition. He was long a member of the Congregational Church, was a quiet man in all ways, and dearly loved his home. To make it beautiful and attractive to his wife aud son, whom he loved tenderly, was his constant study."

Abishai Miller

History is the resume of. the lives and events which are to-day among the things of the present, to-morrow those of the past, and in history mention should be made of those whose personal qualities, business enterprise, and moral worth have contributed in some way to the wealth, knowledge, and welfare of the community in which they lived, and to this number belongs Abishai Miller, who was born at Fall Brook, Middleboro', Mass., June 22, 1800. His ancestry, lor several generations, had been land-holders there, having purchased their estate from the Indians. He was the youngest child of John and Susanna (Sparrow) Miller, and was educated at the common schools in Middleboro'. His father dying when Abishai was a mere lad, he left his home and went to Westboro' and Taunton to learn the machinists' trade. He devoted himself to this trade until he had thoroughly mastered it in all its details, and it was said of him that he was one of the best machinists in New England. A man of his mechanical genius could not long remain a subordinate. In 1837 he entered the service of Otis Tufts (Mr. Tufts at that time being the proprietor of a machiue-shop on Broomtield Street, i Boston, and afterwards known as one of the most I successful engine-builders in New England), and con- - tinned in his employ in this location and in East I Boston until 185o. During this period he superiu- 1 tended the construction of much largo work, aud had, as apprentices, many young men who have become justly celebrated in the line of iron mauufucture, aud shown the excellence of their training. In the year 1853, Jlr. Miller, with several other enterprising mechanics, organized the Atlantic Works, and obtained ' a charter from the Legislature. They put into this 1 venture all their savings, and began the difficult tusk i of making a place for their company in the business world. They purchased land in Ea>t Boston, and erected buildings thereon for machine-, blacksmith-, and boiler-shops, and purchased tools for these several departments. Mr. Miller became superintendent of construction, and by dint of hard work, scif-sacridce, and the utmost economy, soon succeeded in establishing a reputation, and steadily increased their business and facilities. About 1859, Mr. Miller retired from active work to Middleboro', to take much-needed and wellearned rest. At this time he erected a fine residence on the old homestead at Fall Brook, and here his friends always found him happy aud hospitable. But when the civil war commenced the Atlantic Works secured a contract for the building of one of the now famous " monitors," and at the earnest solicitation of his associates in the business, he returned and again became its superintendent, and during the four years following a busier man could not have been found in Boston. Under his direction were built the monitors " Casco" and "Nantucket," the turrets for the monitors " Monadnock," " Agamenticus," -' Passaconaway," " Shackamaxou," and the machinery for the gunboats -' Sagamore," " Canandaigua," " Sa.ssacus," and '' Osceola," also for the United States man-of-war " Nyphon." At the close of the war, Mr. Miller again retired from active business, although remaining on the board of directors of the company until 1870, I when, upon the death of the president, he was elected to that office, aud continued in the same until his death, which occurred at East Boston, Jan. 30, 1SS3. He was buried at the " Green" Cemetery, Middleboro', where five generations of his ancestors already lay. His wife, Julia A., daughter of Edward Sparrow, of

As a business man and mechanic few surpassed liim, and the success and prosperity of the Atlantic Works was largely due to Mr. Miller's management and skill. In private and social life he was much beloved. He never betrayed a friend or deceived an enemy. His nature was positive. Strong iu his likes and dislikes, he was always just and charitable. A friend iu want or in trouble found in him a ready helper and adviser. It is said that the truly great man always loves and respects his mother. This characteristic he possessed in a large degree, for he always treated his mother with affection and reverence, and cared for her under his own roof during the last years of her life. As a husband and father, he was devoted and indulgent. As a citizen, he commanded the esteem of all who knew him, and, although having neither the time or ambition to be very active in town aft'airs, yet when elected to office filled the positions with credit, serving as selectman of Middleboro', and in other positions of trust to the acceptance of his townsmen. He was an attendant of the Congregational Church, and contributed largely towards its support.

Mr. Miller was essentially a self-made man, and his life was one of steady and active devotion to business. Starting forth wlien but a mere lad to conquer fortune, his success was well won, the result of mental strength united with indomitable will and persevering industry. This was not accomplished at the expense of his social nature, as is evidenced by the large circle of intimate friends, who were attracted by his geniality and hospitality.

The first American ancestor of the Kinsman family, Henry Kingman, came to this country about the year 1630, ten years after the landing of the Pilgrim fathers, and settled in Weymouth. He was a man of good character, with intellectual strength and cultivation. In the year 1631 he was on the grand jury, and repeatedly represented the town in which he lived, and filled many places of public trust and confidence. His introduction to such responsible offices, while yet a young man, speaks in the strongest terms in favor of his character and intelligence. He changed his residence to West Bridgewater, where he died at the age of eighty-four, leaving a son John. John (second generation) was born in 1664, died in died in 1820. Their children were nine in number, of whom Bela was the eighth. Abner was the first of the family in Middleboro". He settled on a farm in North Middleboro', where he always resided. Here Bela (fifth generation) was born May 2, 1781, and died April 16, 1854. He married Lydia Dean, of Taunton, in 1804. She was born July 6, 1786, died Dec. 12, 1860. They had twelve children. Bela followed the occupation of his father (that of tanner and farmer), and made his residence on the old homestead. He held a major's commission in the militia, but was excused from service in the war of 1812, when the company was ordered to Plymouth, from the peculiar reason that two majors' commissions had been given in his regiment. He was an attendant of the Congregational Church of North Middleboro', and was its first Sabbath-school superintendent (1818). He was a man physically and morally strong, of good judgment, and in all the positions he was called to till performed their duties in accordance with the saying, " Act well your part, there all the honor lies." We quote from an old document the following, ia regard to the characteriutics of the Kingman family : " Strong attachment to and high admiration of each other; ambition, not in the acquisition of wealth or goodly apparel, but in the acquisition of knowledge. It may be well and truly said, ' A Kingman is a good friend and true, but not an enemy to be desired.'"

Calvin D. Kingman, youngest child of Bela and Lydia (Dean) Kingman, was born April 29, 1825, on the farm where hia grandfather settled, in North Middleboro'. He diligently improved the commonschool advantages afforded to the farmers' boys of that period, and by the time he was sixteen years old, the savings he had accumulated, by extra work for neighbors in haying and pegging shoes in winter evenings, sufficed to pay his expenses at the academy in Bridgewater, which he attended three terms. Commencing teaching when but seventeen years old, he at once attained high rank in that profession, and taught public school in Taunton three winters. Duriuc this time he worked at haying in summer, attending the spring and fall terms of the academy, and three terms at the normal school. While attending the latter, and only about twenty years of age, he was surprised to receive a communication from J. N. Ballou, principal of Taunton Academy, asking him to take the position of assistant in that institution. On Mr. Kingman's showing this letter to Mr. Tillinghast, the principal, and asking his advice as to its acceptance or rejection, he said, " Go by all means, it is too good a chance to be lost." Prior to this time, and before he was two weeks in the normal school in its sprinp; session, Mr. Kingman had made an engagement to teach the West Bridgewater school the next winter, which engagement, after teaching three terms in the academy, he was compelled to keep. Although giving general satisfaction as an instructor, and having promising engagements offered him, Mr. Kingman concluded not to make teaching his life-work, and, at the close of his winter's school, he went to work on a bench in a shoe-shop across the road from his father's residence, and from that time to the present he has been a manufacturer of shoes.

lu the fall of 18-ll> he went to live with his brother, Hosea, who was manufacturing shoes in what is now Lakeville. Here he married, Oct. 3, 1847, Sarah P., daughter of Caleb and Mary (Holmes) Bassett. Commencing housekeeping at Lakeville, he bought leather and made it into shoes on his own account, and soon entered into company with Hosea, which partnership continued about one year, when Hosea died, leaving Calvin the entire business. In the spring of 18G2, Mr. Kingman removed both his residence and business to Middleboro', where he is now (1884) located. From humble beginnings, by care, diligence, and integrity, his manufacturing has increased steadily and satisfactorily, until it is employing, at the present, fifty operatives, and producing men and boys' calf, kip and buff brogans, balmorals, English and Oxford ties, etc. Mrs. Sarah P. Kingman died Jan. 21, 1875. Her children were Sallie R. (married Henry F. Tillson ; they have one child, Marian, and now reside in Los Vegas, New Mexico, whither Mr. Tillson was compelled to remove for his health, which was much broken by hia many years' service at Macullar, Williams & Parker's, Boston), Charles W. (married Lizzie E. Cole, has four children, Lydia D., Sadie B., Delia R., and Walter R.), Philip E. (married Nellie Shaw), and Henry C., a bright, promising young man, who was accidentally drowned May 14, 1883, in his twenty-first year (Charles W. and Philip E. are associated with their father in business). Mr. Kingman married, Nov. IG, 187t], Mary A., daughter of Andrew J. and Abigail (Snow) Pickens.

Mr. Kingman has devoted his time and attention mostly to business. He is one of the trustees, and on the investment committee of the Middleboro' Savings- Baiik. He is largely interested in cattle raising iu Colorado, and has passed several months in each year, since 1880, in enjoyment of the sports of the far West, and probably no man of the present generation in this State has ever killed so much large game, deer, antelope, elk, bear, buffalo, etc., as he. Of an active and vigorous temperament, he is an enthusiastic lover of the chase. Formerly a Whig, of late years ho has been independent in politics, voting for the measures and men he deeiued the best, and steadily refusing to take office. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist, is a diligent worker in the church, has held the ofEce of deacon for six years, and also that of Sunday-school superintendent for about the same length of time. During his twenty-une year.-)' residence in Middleboro', every Sabbatii he has been at home has found him in attendance at Sabbathschool and meeting, with the excejition of two or three, when he was detained at home by illness of himself or family. A social companion, a strong friend, a successful business man, and a law-abiding citizen, Mr. Kingman merits and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

There is an air of romance and mystery surrounding the history of the first of the Le Baron family. The following facts were mostly obtained from an article in the " New England General Register" for 1871, written by one of his descendants: In the fall of the year 1694 a French privateer cruising on the American coast was wrecked in Buzzard's Bay, near Falmouth. The officers and crew were taken prisoners and marched to Boston, but they were compelled to leave the surgeon of the ship. Dr. Fian(;ois Le Baron, at Plymouth on account of sickness. During his stay at the inn he performed what suemcd at that time a wonderful surgical operation on the landlady. From this fact, and there not being a competent aurgeon or physician in the town, the selectmen petitioned Lieutenant-Governor William Stoughton, then acting Governor, that Dr. Le Barun " might be permitted to tarry in the town of Plymouth as physician, surgeon, and apothecary." This request was granted, and he settled down into the staid manner of life of the Puritans with the name of Le Baron, thus becoming the founder of a new family. It is presumed that he was a scion of a noble house of Normandy or Provence, but he sedulou.-<ly refrained from giving any information concerning his early life. He never assimilated with the religion of the colony, was a Roman Catholic through lil'e, and alwaj'sworc a cross upon his breast. No record can be found of either the name of the privateer or the port from which she sailed, and an impenetrable veil

From these romantic iocidents a brilliant writer has made him the hero of a pleasing tale, - " A Nameless Nobleman," - in which many facts are blended with imaginative statements, so as to make a readable book. In 1G95 he married Mary, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Ames) Wilder, and died in 1704, aged thirty-six years. The children of Dr. Francis and Mary (Wilder) Le Baroii were James, born May 23, 1696; Lazarus, born Dec. 26, 1C98; and Francis, born June 13, 1701. On the crest of Burying Hill, Plymouth, even yet may be seen a stone of black marble, bearing this inscription : " Here lyes y body of Doctor Francis Le Baron, a native of France and Physician of Plymouth, a.d. 1704.' There have been many physicians among his descendants.

From Dr. Francis Le Baron to the fifth generation we find the line. Dr. Francis', James-, John', John*, John B.' John* was born Oct. 18, 1787, and lived in the part of Middleboro' called Rock, until his later years, when he removed to Middleboro' village, where he died in his ninety-third year. He was an iron-molder, but fully conversant with all departments of the iron business. In connection witli this industry, he also carried on a farm. He held a commission in the old militia, and in the war of 1812 was captured by the British.

John B. Le Baron, son of John and Bethany (llydcrj Le Baron, was born Sept. 19, 1817, in Middleboro'. His educational advantages were limited to the cummon schools. He remained at home until he was about eighteen years old, when he went to Norton furnace and served an apprenticeship at the foundry business. At the completion of his apprenticeship, he worked at Norton for some years, and during this time was married. From Norton he went to Field's furnace, at Taunton, where he also remained several years. He then engaged as foreman in a foundry at Bourncville (now part of Fall River) for two years; then he went to Somerset to superintend the building of what is now the Co-operative Foundry. He occupied that position for two yeara. In 1855 he aud Samuel M. Tinkham, of Taunton, began to build the foundry in Middleboro', with which Mr. Le Biirun was so long connected. He lived in Taunton until the autumn of 1859; then he purchased the Ichabod Thomas place in Lakcville, and resided there between five and six years, when he removed to Middleboro', of which place ho was ever after a resident. This firm of Tinkham & Le Baron continued utitil the fall of 1864. Then Mr. Le Barou purchased the interest of Mr. Tinkham, and conducted the rapidly-increasing business until Jan. 1, 1884, when he was succeeded by his sons, J. Baylies and Eugene P., who formed the Le Baron Foundry Company, which is now doing business.

He married, first, Aug. 16, 1811, Keziah, daughter of Charles and Keziah (Rounds) Baylies, of Tauntou. She was born June 9, 1818, and died Oct. 10, 1861. Their children were Adelaide (died young), John Baylies (born Jan. 24, 1845, married Lucy S., daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Bisbee) Lovell, and has three children), Maria C. (born Jan. 18, 1847, married Samuel S. Lovell, has three children), Eugene P. (born Jan. 16, 1849, married, first, Lucy H. Morrill; she died in 1871, leaving one child; second, Georgiana Loring, of Plympton, who has one child), Charles H. (died young), Clara J. (born Jan. 7, 1855, married George R. Sampson, has two children), and Harriet J. (died young).

Mr. Le Baron married, second, Mary J., daughter of James Chase, a native of Dighton, who survives him. His death occurred March 1, 1884. Mr. Le Baron was an incorporator and director in the Domestic Needle Company, and its successor. Union Needle Company, of which he owned one-fourth interest. He was one of the trustees, and on the board of investment of the Middleboro' Savings-Bank. He owned quite an amount of land, laid out numerous village-lots, and erected a number of houses. He was the originator of the coal business in Middleboro'. Democratic in politics, as such he was elected to represent Middleboro' in the State Legislature in 1875. He was for years a member of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal society, one of its building committee, and contributed liberally to build the present church edifice, and to the support of the society. He united with the church in 1877, and, up to the time of his death, held the offices of steward and trustee. During the temperance reform movement he was active in its support, and was a member of the Assawampsett Division, Sons of Temperance. He was for many years a prominent member of Mayflower Lodge of F. and A. M., Middleboro', Sutton Commandery, and Adoniram Chapter of New Bedford. Social, cheerful in disposition, fond of hearing and narrating good stories, of large and robust physique, and positive nature, Mr. Le Baron threw his whole .soul into whatever he undertook. He was a man of strong will-power and tremendous energy and a hard worker, and from humble beginnings, by his own exertions, acquired a handsome competency. Of strong integrity, he was noted for his frankness aud candor ; of au active temperament, earnest and impulsive, sometimes [ im])etuous, but always sincere, he was a man of i marked generosity and liberality of character. As a business man he was successful, and as a member of society respected and beloved.

ELIJ.A.U E. Perkins is of good old Sason stock, and a descendant in a direct line from one of the first families to settle in Ipswich, Mass. Wc find in early records the name of John Perkins. He was born in 1500, at Nervent, Gloucester County, England, and i probably came in the " Lion" to Boston, February, 1G31, with Roger Williams. He had three sons, John (2d), who was a commoner in 1G41, Jacob, and Thomas, all of whom were subscribers to Maj. Dcnison's allowance iu 1G48. From one of these three sons descended Mark', who came from Ipswich to North Bridgcwater, was a farmer, married, and had a large family. His son, Isaac, born about 1730, settled in North Middleboro', possessed a farm of a hundred acres, a portion of which is now liold by his grandson, Elijah, and on which he was born July 2-, 1804. Isaac held a commissiou in the old French war, was a deacon for many years, and a man of sound, practical, common sense. He married Joanna Edson, of North Bridgcwater, and died in 1811, at the age of eightyone. Tlieir children were Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Azel, Asa, Cyrus, Joanna, and Sally. (Cyrus graduated at Dartmouth College, and was a distinguished physician of New York City.) Azel was born in 1765, received a common-school education, became a farmer, and always resided on the old homestead. He married Lucretia, daughter of Deacon Elijah and Sarah (Shaw) Eaton, of JNIiddleboro'. Deacon Elijah Eaton's second wife was Thankful Aldeu, daughter of Jolin Aldeu*. lie, John Alden, was a very religious man, lived to be one hundred and two years old, and had read the Bible through as many times as he was years old, it is said, and could tell on hcaritig a verse the book and chapter it was from, and continue the quotation.

The children of Azel and Lucretia (Ealoiij Perkius were eleven, of whom Elijah was the ninth, and is now the only survivor. Mr. Azel Perkins was a Ulan of medium size and very active, steady, industrious, and quiet, preferring to work at his own business than to take office. He retained his activity to old age, and when over eighty years old would as often run to his barn as walk. He died August, 1852, aged eighty-seven.

The educational advantages of farmers' sons in those days were limited to the winter school of a fiw montlis, and Elijah attended only eight weeks duriu'^ each year, after he was ten years old, until, on account of ill health, he weut to Boston in 1823, and was employed a.s clerk for two years. He then returned to North Middleboro', where he has since resided. In December, 1833, Mr. Perkins married Elizabeth Eddy Hall, daugliter of Asa and Lucy (Leach) Hall, of llaynham. They have had si.^c children, - Francis H., born Sept. 5, 1835, died July 12, 1855; Daniel S., born Sept. 4, 1837, died Oct, 22, 1881 ; Lucretia E., born Feb. 3, 1842 (married Eiioeli Pratt, had one child, Miriam E., and diid Nov. 2i>, 1877) ; Cordana E., born Nov. 17, 1814 (married Harrison Otis Pratt, Sept. IG, 18G9, has one son, Harry Sumner, and resides with her parents) ; William Sawyer, born May 17, 1847, died Oct. 13, 18-l'.l ; Mary S., born July G, 1852, married Benjamin E. Holmes.

Mr. Perkins was one of the pioneers of the shoe business, having in 1836 taken a contract of Setli Bryant, of East Bridgcwater, for buttuujirig shoe.-', took many apprentices, and continued at this until he had bottomed twenty-five thousand pairs. In 1S4G he started on his own account as a manufacturer, the first in Middleboro' to venture in this line. He employed only half a dozen men, but by integrity soun acquired a valuable reputation for his work, ;iud the business steadily increased. Hard working, diligent, and economical, he was prospered. Alone, and in company with others fur forty-five years, he wa^ identified with every stage of the development of this great itidustry of our country. In 18G0, when filtysix years of age, the handsome property acquired by long years of hard labor was swept away to ihe last dollar by the wholesale repudiation of their Northern debts by Southerners, when they attempted to secede from the Union. Now was shown the value of a character built up by years of honest dealinii, perl'ect truthfulness, and strict adherence to his word. Men who had known him long, and with whom he was accustomed to deal, gave him the material aid and credit to continue in his business, which, under the brisk times of the war, surpassed its former prosperity. In 18G5 he admitted his son, Daniel S., in partnership. The business had increased to .-.uch an extent that they employed sixty operatives, and enjoyed the reputation of making as good goods as were made, and had a steady New England trade. The new firm was E. E. Perkins & Son, and continued so, until the death of Daniel S., in 18^1, of typhoid fever.

History Of Middleborc

prime of life, was a diligent laborer and an industrious man ; deeming the secret of success strict attention to business, he overtasked himself and sank benoatli the burden. He held a high ideal of Christianity, and, although a sincere Christian, never considered hiiBself worthy to belong to the church organization. He was highly esteemed, and his death was a great sorrow to his aged father and mother, and to a great number of appreciative friends who loved him for his worth and many amiable ([ualities. We copy the following as an instance of the high place he occupied among his fellow-citizens :

" llviiheJ/Vhiil we lament bid decease socially and officially, because bis many virtues of band, mind, and heart eiideitred hiui to us ; because bis suggestions and calm counsels were indicative of keen observation, patient investigation, and careful deliberation.

*' Jii'.uh'cUf That we bear sacredly in mind bis uniform amiability, sterling worth, unequivocal integrity, and unswerving fidelity to correct principles.

^* JCeioU'ctl, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to his honored parcul." as an expression of good will and happy memory : and that these resolutions hu entered upon the records of Pratt Free School, North Middlehoro', Nov. 25, 1S8I.

Mr. Elijah E. Perkins early in life became connected with the Congregational Church of North Middleboro' (in 1831), and has ever since been a prominent and valued member. He has been deacon for nearly thirty-four years. He very generously bore the expense of the monument erected to the memory of the three Indians, - James Thomas, Job Abanton, and Stephen David, who, in early days (1750), gave "thirty-eight acres of land for the site of church edifice, parsonage, burying-ground, and ' training-field,' at Titicut.

Mr. Perkins has always resided in his native town, and known of all nieu, is universally esteemed for his sterling worth, honesty of dealing, integrity, modesty, and unostentation, and in his old age, with the competency his faithful labor and business ability of years has brought him, can look back and proudly say that not one dollar has been acquired unjustly. He is one of the best types of a self-made man ; has started many boys on the same road he has trod, and his success is the result of steady industry, careful economy, business thrift, and enterprise, combined with consistent religious principles, reaching over a long period of years. He has never had time to i meddle either with politics or speculation, and has i refused all public positions. Whig and Republican ill political belief, he has supported by his influence and votes the nominations made by the.se parties.

Shadrach Atwood, M.D.

One of the old families of Plymouth County is the .\twood family, and from its representatives of the i present generation we can select no more worthy I subject for illustration or biography in the county's i history than Dr. Shadrach Atwood, now a resident of I Franklin, Mass. He was born in Carver, May 17, 1 1801. His parents were Francis and Elizabeth j (Ward) Atwoud. His grandfather, Benjamin Ward, was prominent in the Revolutionary army (see biography of George Ward, Lakeville), and his grandfather, William Atwood, was a lieutenant in the same service. Francis Atwood was a farmer, and in 1811 he purchased a farm in Middleboro', and removed thither. Shadrach remained with his parents until he was twenty-one, having advantages of education only in a small district school until he was nineteen, when be attended the academy at South Bridgewater. A few months after he engaged as teacher in a district school, but, becoming actjuainted with a new and remarkably successful system of teaching grammar, he engaged in teaching that as a specialty for some time, with marked results. He then began the study of Latin preparatory to a college course, and when twenty-two years old he went to Amherst and, after some preliminary academical study, entered Amherst College, where he remained about eighteen months. Here he made rapid showing those (|Ualities of determination and tenacity of purpose so strongly shown in his entire career, and which, when a mere child, caused his father to say, " I never told Shadrach to do a thing which he did not accomplish, and never heard him say, ' I can't do it.' " The difficulties with which Dr. Atwood had to contend in preparing for the work of life wore neither few nor small. But these adverse circumstances did not crush his spirit, nor prevent his doing and rising in the world. They only served to develop his manhood, to bring out those sterling i|ualitios which constitute a truly noble character, as they always do in every genuine man. About 1825 he began the study of medicine under Dr. Arad Thompson, of Middleboro', but after a few months went to Boston, and attended three courses of lectures at Harvard Medical School, becoming also a student in the office and assisting in the practice of the cele- biateJ Dr. Wioslow Lewis. He made good use of the opportunities afforded him, and was graduated from Harvard in February, 1830. He soon commenced his long and successful medical practice by establishing himself at Marlboro', whence, after eighteen months' time, he removed to Bellingham, wlicre he was located for several years. In 1830 or 1S3T he changed his residence to Franklin, which, with temporary absences, has been liis home to the present.

In 1878 he gave up active practice and retired after a professional career of success and profit of nearly half a century. He built up a large practice, was active, energetic, and won many friends. Hi.s nature is positive, and from peculiar circumstances he was early thrown entirely on his owu resources in his profession, and developed self-reliance, care, and close observation - almost minute - of all his cases. He was remarkable for his skill in diagnosing disease, and very successful iu his treatment. He made liis profession his life-work, and gave to it all tlie strength of his manhood and the vigor of his nature. In ISGG he removed to Wretitham, where he resided four years. He then returned to Franklin, and while some of his goods had been conveyed thither an incendiary fire burned the house in Wrentham, with his library, books of account, and much other valuable property. Notwithstanding these and other reverses, he is to-day one of Franklin's substantial citizens. In polities, in early life, he was an Old-Line Whig, departing from the Democratic principles of his fathers, but after the dissolution of tlie Wliig party he afiiliated with tlie Democratic party, and has since supported it and its candidates. In 1847 he was elected to represent the town of Franklin in the State Legislature by an unprecedented majority, and while in the Legislature was largely instrumental in securing the charter for the Norfolk County Railroad (an extension of the railroad from Walpolo to Blackstoue), which gave railroad facilities to Franklin, and marked a new era in its growth and pro>i)erity. Of this road he was one of the iTicorporators. He was at one time a director of the Benjamin Franklin Savings-Bank, of Franklin.

He married, first, Nov. 28, 1832, Mrs. Ruth M. Pond, daughter of Cyrus and Ruth (iVIakepeace) Snow (she died, leaving no offspring, Nov. 7, 18ti2) ; second, Nov. 27, 1872, Charlotte M., daughter of Walter Harris and Sally A. (Hawkins) Gay.

Dr. Atwood hu.s stood high among his professional brethren ; has honored his domestic relations, his social and official obligations, and enjoys the esteem of a large and honorable circle of friends and acquaintances.

Thomas Weston

Thomas Weston, of Middleboro', was the fifth generation from Edmund Weston, who came to Plymouth from England in the " Ann and Elizabeth" in the year 163G. He was born March 20, 1770, in that part of the town called Warrentown. ' His father, Edmund Weston, was a gentleman much respected and a man of influence. In Revolutionary times he kept a hotel in the house now owned and occupied by his son. Col. Thomas Weston. He was very pronounced in his opinions against the tyranny of the crown, and did luuch towards rousinLr the patriotism of Middleboro' in those exciting times. He hud six children, the youngest being the subject of this sketch.

Iu his early youth he was quiet, studious, and thoughtful. Of a naturally weak constitution, he was not much inclined to outdoor sports, but very early showed a fondness for books. Although books were then comparatively few, he eagerly mastered all that came within his reach. Schools were rare and expensive, and taught only by private teachers. Such was the poverty of the country towns in the years of the Revolution and those immediately following that few men could afford the expense of a schooling for their children. His father, although owning his farm, could do but little for his youngest son. He, however, sent him to the school taught by Ahnor Alden, the author of " Alden's Spelling-Bouk," for six weeks. One week's more schooling under " Master" Asapha Churchill was all that he ever had. His early advantages were thus limited, but his habits of thought and reading formed at home on the farm ever followed him, and early manhood found him with a broad knowledge of affairs and a general information surpassed by few. This, with his rare knowledge of men, his uniform affability, and strong cotumon sense, gave him in after-life the great influence he exerted in business circles and in the politics of the State. Although under the tuition of .Master Alden for so short a time, the latter regarded him as a promising young man, and soon after recommended him as a " tit person to instruct youth," and lor a few years before and after his majority his services wore sought after as a teacher in schools, where he seemed to have considerable success.

But the teaching of private schools was not to his mind, and in 1794, taking what little money he had saved and a small sum that he was enabled to borrow from a friend, he leased a blast furnace in Carver, called Pope's Point Furnace, with the store connected with it, resolving that he would be a business man. In the revival of business after the close of the Revoh. 0^^?x^lJ lution the iron interests were the first to feel its effects, and at that time in Middleboro', Carver, Wareham, and Rochester were many blast furnaces for the smelting of iron and the casting of hollow-ware. His enterprise, his thorough business habits, his honesty, and his general good nature made his business suocessful, and after remaining there four years he removed to Middleboro', having amassed a considerable sum of money for those times.

About the year 1798 he purchased a portion of the estate at Muttock before Revolutionary times owned by Peter Oliver, chief justice of the highest King's Court in the colony. A few years later he purchased the remaining portion of it. Judge Oliver used to make this place his summer residence, and it was regarded as the finest estate in the colonies. The bombardment of Boston was heard by him at Oliver Hall, and at night be and his family hurriedly left town, leaving everything in the house except their silver plate. He never returned, and the place was afterwards sold by the commissioners appointed to sell confiscated property of Royalists to Jesse Bryant, of whom Mr. Weston purchased a portion of the estate.

He was married to Abigail Doggett, a daughter of Simeon Doggett, Sept. 30, 1798, and resided from that time until his death upon this estate, in the mansion built by Judge Oliver for his son. The house is still standing, and after the death of Mr. Weston was owned and occupied by the late Earl Sproat. This house was full of historic associations. Here Governor Hutchinson and Thomas and Andrew Oliver used to pass their summers. Here Franklin stopped some time while passing through the colony. Hero were welcomed illustrious guests from Old England on their tour through the New England, and here were planned and discussed some of the odious measures to subdue the rebellious colonists.

At the time he purchased a portion of the works at JIuttock, including the forge and a large interest in the grist-mill, saw-mill, and rolling or slitting-mill, as it was then called. The business of these works, with a .store, which he continued until his death, became quite extensive for those times. These works were formerly owned and carried on by Judge Oliver, and the rolling-mill was the second built in America. One important branch of his business was the making of wrought nails. The forge and rolling-mill were for the purpose of making nail-rods. These were taken by farmers and others and hammered into nails of the required length and size. At that time this business gave employment to a large number of men in this and adjoining towns. In the early part of his busine.->s at Muttock, Geo. Abiel Washburn was associated with him, and after that his son. Col. Thomas Weston, who continued with him until his death. This once large and profitable business, however, was supplanted in a few years after his death by the invention of the nail-machine. Now, here and there, upon the county farms the little nail-shops may still be seen as monuments of a departed industry. He always had a large store at Muttock. During this period of his life he carried on a forge and store at the Fresh Meadows. He was interested in the cottonmill known as the Upper Factory in Middleboro', and quite largely interested in shipping at Wareham.

In 1809 he was almost unanimously chosen as a representative to the General Court, and reelected for five successive years. In 1815 and 1816 he was a member of the Senate, and elected to the House again in 1819. In 1820 he was chosen a member of the convention to revise the Constitution of Massachusetts. From 1823 to 1827 he was a member of the Governor's Council. He was a warm personal friend of Governor Eustis; with him on the Governor's Council was Marcus Morton, afterwards Governor. In public life for twenty-five years, his acquaintance with the men of his time was unusually large, and his general information, his sterling character, his strong common sense, his uniform politeness, gave him a great influence upon the politics and men of his time. In politics he was a Democrat, and although living at a time when party politics were more bitter than at any other period of our political history, such was the esteem with which he was regarded in his native town that, when he would consent to be a candidate for an oflBce, in addition to the vote of his own party, he usually received more votes from the opposite party than their own nominee.

In 1822 he was nominated for Congress, at a time when a nomination by his party was equivalent to an election, but declined on account of his business, which was then quite extensive, and the Hon. Aaron Hobart was elected in his stead.

In 1828 tiie old Court of Sessions, which had come down as one of the famous tribunals of the olden lime, was abolished, and a new Court of County Commissioners established in its place. Mr. Weston was appointed by Governor Lincoln as its chairman, with Jared Whitman, of Abington, and John Cullamorc, of Scituate, as associates, which office he held unlil his death. At that time this was regarded as one of the most important offices in the county, and his appointment was regarded as most fit. The members of this court took the title of judges, as did those of the old Court of Sessions, which title followed them for many years after. With the change of name of the court came other changes in its practice and modes of procedure, wiiich were largely of his suggestion. Altliough not a lawyer, he had a judicial mind, and was well read iu the principles of common law. He was couscieotious in liis decisions, always endeavoring to do exact justice to all parties. He presided with dignity, and his court had the confidence and respect of the entire county.

He died, after a ohort illness, June 17, ISo-i, in the .-ixty-fourth year of his age. His wife died Aug. 11. 1830. He had nine children, - Col. Thomas Weston, of Middleboro', being the only surviving child. In lSo4 he married for his second wife Mrs. Deborah Hathaway, of Freetown.

Judge Weston was a gentleman of the old school, dignified but always courteous and polite. Of Pilgrim stock, he inherited their sterling (jualities, softened by Christian culture aud the amenities of society. He was a man of strong character and firm principles, .scorning everything mean or dishonest. As a merchant he was enterprising, careful, and of exact business habits. His word was always as good as his bond. His judgment on the ordinary matters of life was much sought after by his acquaintances, and the value of his strong, common sense early recognized. He was very happy in his domestic life, with a large family of children, most of whom he lived to .^ee grow to manhood and womanhood and comfortably .settled in life. His house was always open, and he entertained with a generous hospitality. His wide circle of friends and acquaintances brought many prominent men to his door, and rarely a day passed iu the latter part of his life without the presence of some one as his guest. His wife, a lady of culture, presided with a quiet dignity over his household, and lier rare conversational powers added much to the pleasure of his guests. He was early identified with the First Church of Middleboro', and was one of its strongest supporters. The great objects of Christian charity and benevolence, that in his time were just coming into existence, he warmly espoused, and seemed fully to appreciate the great work they were about to do, and the strong hold they would ultimately obtain upon the Christian world.

William W. Cojistock, M.D.

William W. Comstock, M.D., one of the most eminent physicians of Plymouth County, was born iu Smithfield, R. I., March "23, ISOl, and was the son of Dr. Ezekiel and Mary (Whipple) Comstock. He Was a birthright Quaker, aud both his paternal and maternal ancestors were of noble and distinguished families. The Comstoeks trace their origin back through England and the Norman Conquest to the sixth century in Germany, where Baron von Komstock, the first recorded progenitor, was a large landholder. His maternal grandfather wa.s ComoKjdore Abraham Whipple, United States navy, from whose flag-ship " Providence," under his command, was tired the first gun against the British, thus leading off in the gallant efforts to dispute England'.-, supremacy on lier favorite element. Bold, daring, aud intrepid, he enjoyed the friendship and companionship of Paul Jones, Franklin, and Washington, and in some respects was the most remarkable of the naval officers of the Revolution. His first cruise was probably never excelled in naval history, appearing more like romance than reality. Its prize money amounted tn over one million dollars. The most eccentric and daring of his exploits was in July, 1779, when he eucouutered the homeward bound Jamaica fleet of one hundred and fifty sail, convoyed by several British men-of-war, among them a seventy-four gun-ship. Commodore Whipple concealed his guns, joined the fleet as if one of their number, and sailed in their company for several days, each night capturing a vessel, which he manned with a prize crew, who steered to a different point of the compass, so as to be out of sigiit of the fleet in the morning. Prom this fleet hecuptured ten richly-laden vessels, eight of which arrived in American ports. This gallant officer died at Marietta, Ohio, in 1819, aged eiglity-five years. Upon his monument is this inscription :

** Saercd tu the memory of Commodore Abi;ih;iiii Whipple, whose name, skill, and courage will ever reiiiuin tlie priile utid boiiat of hia country. In the lute KevoluLion he was the hrst 10 hurl ilelianee at proud Britain, gallantly leading the way to wreat from the mistresa of the ocean her sceptre, and tliere to wave tliu star-spangled banner. He also itondurted to the sea the lirdt square-rigged vessel ever built on the Ohio, opening to commerce resources beyond calculation. "

Commodore Whipple had two daughters, Katharine and Mary. Katharine married Col. Ebenezer Sproat, of Middleboro'. Col. Sproat was one of the pioneers of Ohio, acquiring by his bravery much honor, was called " Buckeye" Sproat, and it is said that by him, and through him, Ohio received the appellatiou of the " Buckeye State." Dr. Couistoek studied medicine with his father, a prominent phy.^ician, and commenced the practice of his prul'essioii in New Bedford, Mass., but removed to Buckfield. Me., about 1829. He soon developed those qualities of a successful physician for which he afterwards was so noted, and made many and warm friends, among the most intimate of wiiom was the father of ex-Governor

John D. Lon;;, of Massacliuselts, and was elected to veprosciit Buckfield one year in the State Legislature. Ill 1845 he removed to Wrentliam, Mass., where he built up a fine practice. Previously, in 1826, he had married Saba, daughter of Thomas and Sally Sturtevant, of Middleboro'. Otie of tlie oldest physicians in Middleboiu', and of one of its most reputable families (which, however, have ceased to exist in the towuj, was Dr. Thomas Sturtevant. He had a lucrative practice, and was highly esteemed in the community, living; to a hale old ay;(^ He had .several son.s, among them Thumus (father of Saba) and George, also a prominent physician, but who died in the prime of life. In 1S51, at the time of the last illnos of Dr. George Sturtevant, Dr. Uomstock visited him and treated him, and, after his death, received an urgent invitation to settle in Middleboro', which lie did. From 1852 until his death, Oct. 20, 1S7S, Dr. Comstock was one of the leading, most active, and successful physicians in Plymouth County. His practice was extensive, and his advice as counsel was sought by the best practitioners from Provincetown to Providence. He was ever an enthusiastic and hard-working member of his profession. Always a student, he kept pace with the rapid advances and discoveries of medical science. He had many students, the first being Dr. Thaddeus Cushman, of Randol])h, Mass. These have done credit to his instructions, and among them we name Dr. George F. Bigeluw, Boston ; Dr. Abiel W. Nelson, New London, Couu. ; Dr. N. M. Tribou (deceased), Mystic, Conn. ; Dr. George W. Snow, Newburyport ; Dr. Albert Sprague, and Dr. H. Willard, Providence, 11. I. ; Dr. Benjamin F. Wil.son, New Bedford ; Dr. Henry U. Sproat, of Assonet ; Dr. J. G. Cowell, Wrentham, Mass.; and Dr. George L. Ellis, Middleboro' (formerly assistant physician of Taunton Insane Asylum). Dr. Comstock was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, of which he was councillor for many years ; a prominent member of the American Medical Society, of which he was a delegate from Massachusetts to its annual meeting at Detroit, lie was also a member of the Bristol South District Medical Society. His personal character was the very purest, his manner was winning and gracious, his life was. one of the strictest integrity, and in his record of seventy-seven years he left the testimony of an honest and conscientious man. This motto, which he had printed on slips for his grandchildren, will serve to indicate his nature, - Power of Thought is the only true measure of Intellect, as Force of Principle is the only true measure of Moral Greatness."

A strong friend, a beloved and faithful physician, ( he maintained, by his daily walk and aciion.s, and I with an unfailing courtesy, the dignity of a true gen- ' tleraan of the old school. The children of Dr. Comstock were William E. (a very promising youth, who died at the age of seventeen), Adelia B. (married F. 1 P. Mulvey, merchant, of Chicago, and has three I children, - William C, Caroline B., and Fannie L. ), Katherine A., and Agnes (who married Dr. Nahum j M. Tribou, of Middleboro'. Dr. Tribou settled at ! Mystic, Conn., where, after a few years' residence, he died, leaving two children, a son, Nahum M. (wlio I furnishes the accompanying portrait of Dr. Com.-itock ), I and a daughter, Mary C., who married Dr. Henry I Scudder Drake, of Westboro'. They have one child, ! Agnes K.). At a meeting held by the councillors of the Massachusetts Medical Society the following was [ adopted :

I "The Maaaachuaetta Medical Society liavin;-, by tlic ilcath of the late Dr. William W. Cuiuatocic, lost an a^ed and one uf its must honored uiembera, who was for many yeara an associate of this body, we deem it juat and fitting tu place ujiun record otir recognition of his virtuea and abilities. Tbruugli all bis long and arduous career of service in a noble and humane profession, j it is not too much to aay that, by untiring devotion lo medical [ duty, by the constant exercise of care, patience, fiilclity, and I skill in the daily exercise of a pursuit so important to humanity, and by his unvarying kindness and courtesy to hi.s medical brethren, he illustrated the best qualities of a physician and earned the increasing respect and linal reverence of the pi-ofesslon.and that crown of a good man's life, the love and gratitude of the community which witnessetl ami were bcncliied by his life and tabors. He was a wise, benevolent, euiiscientious, ami public-spirited man and citizen, whose example and inllucnce were beneficent in all the relations of life, and whose memory will be gratefully cherished. It is to the high lioiiur of our |}roftfssion, us it is an incentive to a just ambition, that, in each generation and in every community such men arc found, who are venerable, not in years only, but in the long and amplybestowed respect and conKdeace of their follow-mcn."

I " From an acquaintance, u friendship of more than forty years, I shall ever associate with his memory perfect professional integrity." Dr. Dweiiey writes

'. thus of him : " Although having responsibility of a large and widespread country practice on his hand.s, he nearly always managed to be present at the county and State meetings of the societies, often riding late at night and before dawn to accomplish it. . . . He was truly a gentleman of the old school, strictly punctilious in every duty, calm and considerate, affable and j polite, though firm and positive in his convictions, and no person ever failed to receive his services by day or night on account of being too poor to recompeu.se him." He died with his armor on, only ceasing lu3 labors with hia last short illness. His virtues are cherished as a valuable le.Liauy by his posterity, and a-iserc for him an honorable place in the records of the community adorned by his life.

H. S. B. Smith, M.D.

Henry Sutton Burgess Smith, M.D., son of Perley Denuison Smith and Louisa Burgess, his wife, comes from early New England families on both paternal I and maternal sides, and was born in Bridgetoo, Me., | July IZ, 18;i8. i

Thomas Smith was one of the earliest settlers of Gloucester, and a proprietor. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was, in 1645, one of the king'.s commissioners. From him and hia three sons (one of whom, Thomas, settled in Ipswich) descended the most of the Smiths in Northeastern Massachusetts. A direct descendant from him in the fifth generation was Isaiah Smith, who was born about 177-1, married Mary Chapman, of one of the early families of Ipswich, Mass., aud in 1S03 drove his own team of oxen from Ipswich to his new home in a forest wilderness (now Bridgeton), in the then district of Maine. Hardy, resolute, and energetic, he was well calculated to endure the toils and privations of pioneer life, and by his exertions aud industry transformed the wilduess of the woods into a pleasant and productive farm. He built a large house and barns, which are yet standing. He had mucli to do with public affairs in the new settlement, and was captain of the militia. Of his eleven children eight were born in Muiac. He died in 1845, aged seventy-one years. He, in common with his neighbors, was imbued largely with the importance of education, and even during the first years of their Settlement they had established an academy. Perley, his sou, was born May 1, 1805, received an academic education, " aud was distinguished as a mathematician." He married, in November, 1832, Louisa, daughter of Joshua Burgess, of Oneida County, N. Y., where she was born, April 25, 1813. Mr. Smith settled on a farm near his lather's, and united the avocations of laud-surveyor and farmer. His death occurred Nov. 16, 184G, at the age of fortyone. He had four children, - Isaiah P., Henry S. B., Andrew 11. G., and Joshua V. The eldest was ten yeai-s aud the youngest only fourteen months old at tin; time of their father's death. The mother developed qualities of more than ordinary ability. Her strong maternal love kept the children together in aa unbroken iiomecircle, and by her care, diligence, and energy she brought from the new, rough, and slightly-improved farm the means to carry her children through college. How this was done only she and the All-Seeing One could tell. She worked early and late, planned, managed, and contrived. Per.sonal comfort and luxuries were things not even to be dreamed of, and she infused her spirit into her children, and also the dauntless Christian faith and strength which sustained her under all her deprivations atid exhausting labors, so that they cheerfully aided her in all ways. She lived to see them well educated and college graduates, her death occurring in 1872. They all graduated at Bowdoin College, - Isaiah in 1858, Henry in ISGl, Andrew in lSti3, and Joshua in 1867. Isaiah became a Congregationalist clergyman, and settled in Worcester. Andrew received the degree of M.D. from Dartmouth College in 1866, and located at Whitesville, Mo. He has held prominent public positions, served one term as State senator, was re-elected, but was "counted out" on technicalities, the certificate of election being given to another. He brought suit against the Secretary of State, and the Supreme Court reversed the deci.^ion of the board, and he served a second term as senator. Joshua graduated at Maine Medical ScIiodI in 1871, became a resident of Richmond, Me., where he practiced medicine until 1875, when he moved to Melrose, Mass., where he now resides.

His older brother, while a youth, was I'eeblf, and Henry early became the active helper of his mother and leader in the farm work. Winter aud summer he was engaged in either cutting the massive hemlock-trees into saw-logs, stripping the bark fur sale to tanneries, hauling the logs to mill, or putting in or gathering the crops. Before he was tlfteen years old he had many a day done a man's work, laboring from early dawn till long past sunset. In such circuoistances and with such a mother it is not strange that he should improve to the utmost his educational advantages. He entered Bowdoin College in 1857, aud was graduated therefrom in 1861. After graduation he became a teacher in Brunswick, Me., and was principal of both the grammar and high schools. While teaching he studied medicine. aud in 1864 had attained so much kuuwicdge of that profession that, after passing an examination fur that purpose, he was commissioned, April 20, 1804, assistant-surgeon Thirty-second llegiment Maine Volunteers, aud at once accompanied his regiment tu Virginia. They immediately went to the I'roiit, and participated in the bloody battles on the James, i Petersburg, Cold Harbor, and the Wilderness. At i the close of the war, July 26, 1865, he was mustered out of service, and returned to Maine, where he attended a course of lectures at Berkshire Medical College, and received his diploma of M.D. from that institution Nov. 8, 1865. Siiortly after beginning the practice of medicine he located at Bowdoinham, Me., whore he built up a large and successful practice, and remained until Nov. 1, 1878.

The hard labor which had devolved upon him in his youth hud undermined his constitution, and the extreme changes of the harsh climate of Maine developed pulmonic disease, which necessitated a change of rcsiJunce. The death of Dr. W. W. Comstock afforded an opportunity for a change by opening a field in Middleboro', and Dr. Smith established himself here Nov. 1, 1878. He married, Aug. 2l), 1862, Ophelia, daughter of Jason and Mary J. (Cheney) Ripley, born in Hillsboro', N. H. Their surviving children are Owin Ripley and Arthur Vincent. During his residence in Middleboro', Dr. Smith has built up a large and lucrative practice. He devotes his time entirely to his profession, is a diligent student, and keeps pace with the rapid progress of medical science. He was formerly a member of Sagadahoc County (Maine) Medical Society and always in some official position connected therewith, and for some years was its president. He is now a member of South Bristol Medical Society, Masssachusetts Medical Society, and American Medical Society, and attends their meetings.

Dr. Smith is congregational in religious belief and Republican in politics. He holds membership in Village Lodge, F. and A. M., Bowdoinham, Me., and St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapter, Brunswick, Me. Popular in his profession, of kind and winning manners, and of strong sociality. Dr. Smith holds a high place in the regards of a large circle of friends.

1838. On leaving college he went to Georgia, where I he taught nearly four years. In 1842 he became the I principal of Peirce Academy, and continued in that relation twenty-nine years. From an attendance of over a hundred students during his connection with the institution as a pupil, in 1833, he found the number reduced to twelve or fifteen, and tlie building in I a dilapidated condition, without blackboards or appa- ! ratus, and the entire expense of carrying on the institution dependent solely upon the income derived ! from the tuition of its pupils. About the same time high schools, confessedly designed by their advocates I to do away with all denominational acadcniios, were beginning to be established in all the cities and larger ! towns in the State, as well as normal schools, one of which was located within ten miles. Notwithstand- I ing these unfavorable circumstances, Peirce Academy rose during the administration of Professor Jenks to j a high rank among the best institutions of it.s kind j in New England, averaging for some years over two j hundred tuition-paying pupils, at an average age of I eighteen years, and often furnishing forty or more I teachers of district schools at the close of a fall or spring term, pupils from almost every State east of the MLssiasippi and from the British provinces being frequently represented in its annual catalogues.

Resigning his position, Professor Jenks was elected, in 1872, Professor of Agricultural Zoology and Curator of the Museum of Natural History in Brown University, which position he still holds, having, by his untiring efforts and personal sacrifices, brought his special department into a condition far in advance of what it was when he entered the duties of his professorship.

Professor John W. P. Jenks

Professor John W. P. Jenks, principal of Peirce Academy, Middleboro', was born in West Boylston, Mass., May 1, 1819. At thirteen years of age he commenced the study of Latin and Greek in special preparation for college under the private tuition of his pastor. Rev. Addison Parker, in Southbridge, Mass., depending mainly upon his manual labor for support. In three months Rev. J. W. Parker, D.D., | cousin of his pastor, tendered him the opportunity of i spending a year under his tuition in a plantation school in Virginia. Returning north in the spring of 1833, he entered Peirce Academy for a year, and was graduated at Brown University in the class of

Ebenezer Weaver Peirce

Ebenezcr Weaver Peirce, the writer of what in this publication appears concerning the towns of Carver, Lakeville, and Middleboro', was born at what still continues to be his residence in the southerly part of Assonet village in Freetown, April 5, 1822, and is a lineal descendant in the sixth generation from Abraham Peirce, who emigrated to America, and settled at Plymouth as early as 1623, and died at Duxbury in or near 1673.

Isaac Peirce, a son of Abraham Peirce, served as a soldier in King Philip's war, and was among those who played " the man and took the Indian fort" in what is now Kingston, R. I., Dec. 19, 1675, for which act of daring and bravery he received a grant of land in addition to his stipulated wages. Isaac

History- Of Plymoutei County

Ebenezer Peirce, the oldest son of Isaac, Jr., was born in Duxbury, that part afterwards Pembroke, in ur near 1704, and died iu what was then MiddlebonV, but now Lakeville, Aug. 14, 179G. Ebenezer Peirce was the father of six sons, three of whom were soldiers iu the French and ladiaa war; one attaining to the position of captain, and all six served in the patriot army in the war of the American llevolucion, four of the six therein were captains. Among these six sons was Capt. Job Peirce, who had one son that served iu both the army and navy in the Revolutionary war, and one son who was a major, and another a captain in the coast guard, in the last war with England, sometimes called the war of 1812.

Capt. Job Peirce was the founder or donor of Peirce Academy, in Middleboro', and his son, Ebenezer Peirce, Esq., and wife, Joanna Weaver, were the parents of the subject of this sketch, who upon the maternal side is a lineal descendant iu the sixth generation from Lieut. Samuel Gardiner, who greatly distinguished himself in King William's war (1689 to 1692), the earliest town-clerk and treasurer of Freetown of whom there remains a record, also selectman, assessor, and representative to both the Colonial and Provincial Court, and one of the Council of War. Lieut. Gardiner subsequently became the principal proprietor of what is now known as Gardiner's Neck, ill Swansea, where he died Dec. 8, 1C96.

The mother of Ebenezer W. Peirce was Joanna, the oldest daughter of Col. Benjamin Weaver, of Freetown, an officer in the patriot army in the war of the American Revolution, and also in the loyal forces iu Shay's rebellion (1786); a man who wa.s intrusted with both the sword and purse, he having by annual elections been chosen treasurer of Freetown for the long term of twenty-nine years, and as judge of a police court served thirty years.

Ebenezer W. Peirce received such benefits as were afforded by the common scliools in Freetown, and passed one term each in Peirce Academy, Middleboro', Mass., Bacon Academy, Colchester, Codu., and Durham Academy, at Durham, N. H., and has received appointments to the offices of trial justice, coroner, notary public, public administrator, and commissioner to qualify civil officers I'rom the Governor of the State, and from the President of the United States that of collector of internal revenue for the Firat Congressional District in Massachusetts. He has

interested in the militia, into which he voluntarily en- I listed at the age of nineteen, attaining to the jio.sition I of major of the Fourth Regiment of artillerj' at ; twenty-two, lieutenant-colonel at twenty-four, and ; was lionorably discharged at his own request at the age of twenty-six. Two years later, being earnestly j solicited, he accepted the command of the A=souet i Light Infantry Company, and taking the same to a I brigade muster about two months after its organizaj tion, secured the second honors in a hotly-contested j prize-drill, only one company being regarded as its superior in attainment, and throwing all otheis that had been for several years competing for these honois far into the shade, and thus securing to himself the claim of an excellent drill-officer. In August, 1851, he was made major of Third Regimeut of Light Infantry, promoted to lieutenant-colonel iu April, 1852, and raised to brigadier-general of the Second Brigade in First DiviKiou Nov. 7, 1855, commanding that brigade until the commencement of the war of the great Rebellion in which, in the first three months of that conflict, he led it in Virginia. Dec. 13, 1861, he was commissioned colonel of a newly-raised, and then for the first time organized, three years' regiment (the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry), and wheu leading the same at the battle of White-Oak Swamp, in Virginia, June 30, 1862, his right arm near the shoulder was torn off by a cannon-ball, of which wound he was off duty only thirty days, and participated in the second battle of Bull Run iu a little less than two months.

He was soon after promoted to the command of the Second Brigade iu the First Division of the Ninth Corps, which brigade he led in the States of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and for a time in Tennessee commanded the division. From youth his habits have been studious, and he has given much time to a careful perusal of the Bible, that while in liis minority he used to read through once in every twelve months for several consecutive years, and as a result of which he has become a thorough-going free-thinker and a confirmed materialist, in whose mind reason takes the place of revelation and science has demolished superstition. Both before and since the war lie has written extensively for newspapers and other publications, and during the last ten years devoted much labor to historical and genealogical researches, writing and publishing several books concerning each. Although having attained to more than threescore jears, and suffered the hardships incident to several years' aimy life, after losing his right arm, he enjoys almost unalloyed and uninterrupted good health, which he ascrihes to his life-long regular and abstemious habits, ignoring the use of spirituous liquors, tobaccochewing, smoking, and snuffing, and all forms of gambling, having never so much as once played a game uf cards in his life; thus, as he says, keeping the head clear, heart pure, and stomach clean, added to which he has not allowed himself to be encumbered with or burdened by the troubles and cares of more than one world at the same time. He seeks to do and do well the duties of that state of existence in which he finds himself to be, as this he considers his whole duty here and the best preparation for a hereafter, provided there be any hereafter, and says there is enough to do in the world that he knows about, and hence no call to do for that he knows nothing.

History Of Hingham

The town of Hingham lies in tlie northern part of Plymouth County, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Massachusetts Bay and Hull ; on the east by Cuhasset ; on the south by South Scituate and Kocklaud ; on the west by Weymouth.

It ori;_'inally embraced the present town of Cohasset, whicli was set off April 2G, 1770. The town formed a part of Suffolk County until March 2G, 179o, when it was annexed to the newly-formed county of Norfolk. June 20th, of the same year, the former act was repealed so far as it related to Hiogham and Hull, and Hinjrham again became a portion of Suffolk, and remained as such until June 18, 1803, when it was annexed to Plymouth County.

Hingham was probably settled as early as 1633, and among the pioneers were Ralph Smith, Nicholas Jacob and family, Thomas Lincoln, Edmund Hobart and wife, Thomas Hobart and family, Theophilus Cushiug, Edmund Hobart, Sr., Joshua Hobart, Henry Gibbs, Thomas Chubbuck, Joseph Andrews, and others.

The following list with notes of those who either settled or received grants of lands in this town was compiled by the late Solomon Lincoln, Jr., and published in his valuable " History of the town of Hingham," which is now out of print and a scarce work :

- It muy bo remarkeU tliut this name bus been written lUtVerently, {generally, however, eitlier lluburt or Ilubbiird. Mi'. Hobart, t)io firttl minister, usually wrote it Hobart, although the reeorii of his father's death is, "father Hubbard died."

as pastor of tbe church. Mather speaks of him as ''honest Nicholas Baker, who, though he had but a private education, yet being a pious and zealous man, or, us Dr. Arrowsmitb expresses it, so good a logiuian that ho could olfer up to God a reasonable service, so good an arithiuetician that he could wisely number his days, and so good an orator that he persuaded himself to be a good Christian, and, being also one of good natural parts, especially of a strong memory, was chosen pastor of tbe church there, and in the pastoral charge of that church be continued about eighteen years." He died Aug. 22, llJTS.

' This name is written in various ways, often in our early records Hersie, sometimes Harsie, frequently Hearsey, but of lute years Hersey. It is, I believe, a name of French origin. Among the surnames of tbe noblemen and gentlemen who went over to England with William tbe Conqueror was that of Horsy.

^ A person by tbe name of Johnson formerly kept a tavern in a building situated on the spot where the dwelling-house of Mr. Beitjamin .^. Williams now ^tands. It was known by the name of tho Pine-Treo Tavern, from the circuuistanee that a very large pine-tree stood in its front. This family removed to Stoughton.

" John Otis, tho common ancestor of the distingui^lied civilians, patriots, and orators of that name in tliis country. There are branches of his family in Scituate, Itarnstalde, Uoston, and in other places. This name, in our old records, is written variously, Otis, Oates, Otties, and Oattis.

*2 John Strong removed to Taunton, fiom thence to Xorthampton. Ho was probably the ancestor of tho I'auiilies of that name in that town and vicinity.

^ Jobn Fearing catue from Caiubridgo, England. The arrival of a person by this name is dated in CushiDg'd MSS., 163S. It may be observed that, in a fow instances, according to Cushing's MSS., the persons to wbom grants of hind were made did not arrive here until after the date of their grants. This may have been the fact, but there were evidently nrnny more settlers here before 164U than are mentioned in these manu^jcripts. lie mentions but four families that cume over in 1635. Unquestionably a much larger number accompanied Mr. Hobart. It i^ po^ssible, however, that the tritling discrcpaucies in the dates of the arrival of oome of the settlers nitiy be reconciled by the supposition that there were in some instances two or more persons of the same name; indeed, wo know that four persons of the same Christian and surname (Thomas Lincoln] came into this town within a few years after its first settlement.

* " 163S, John Ueale, shoemaker, with his wife and five sons and three daughters and two servants, came from Old Hingbam and settled in New liingham." - dmAnir/'s MSS,

* Anthony Eames waa a deputy in 1637, 1638, and 1643, frequently a town officer, and involved in the military difficulties in 16-14, 1645, etc.

^ Joseph Hull, a deputy from Hingham in September, 1638, and in Mareh after. One of the commidsioners to end small causes, in the same year.

7 The t'amily tradition concerning John Leavitt is, that be was an indentured apprentice in England, and that he absconded from his master and came to this country when nineteen years of age, and settled first at Uuxbury and afterwards in Hingbam. If this tradition is correct he must have arrived in this country before the year 1628, as he died Nov. 20, 1691, aged eighty-three. He received a grant of land in this town in 1636. His homestead was in Leavitt Street (recently so named), on both sides of the river, and is now principally owned by the descendants of his sons, Israel and Josiiih. He was a deacon of the church. In his will, executed Nov. 30, 16SU, und proved Jan. 27, 1691/2, be mt'ntions his sons Samuel, Israel, Mosos, Josiub, Nebemiah, and tlie widow of his son, John ; also bis daughters, Mary, Sarah, Hannah, and Abigail. Israel had a son, John. He died July 2D, 1749. John, son of this John, died April 13, 1797, aged eighty-six. The late Mr. Jacob Leavitt was a son of this last-mentioned John. Ho died Jan. 7. 1826. He possessed good u^Ltural ubilitivs and a sound judgment. Ho was a valuable citi/.en. Ho filled many public otRces and was u zealous AVhig of the Hevolution. Mr. Joshua Leavitt, who died May 12, 1825, aged ninety-two, and who filled the office of town tiensurer for thirty years, with ao much acceptance, was a descendant of Josiah Leavitt, son of the first John, above men* tioned.

In 1638 there was a considerable increase of the number of settlers. Among them were Mr. Robert Peck, Joseph Peck,^* Edward Gilman," John Foulsham, Henry Chamberlin, Stephen Gates, George Knights, Thomas Cooper,^^ Matthew Cusliing,^** John Beal, Jr., Francis James, Philip James, James Buck, Stephen Payne,^** William Pitts, Edward Mitchell, John Sutton," Stephen Lincoln.

^ William Sprague, with his brothers Richard and Ralph, arrived at Naumkeag (Salem) in l628orI62'J. From thence they removed to Misbawum (Charlestown), and from thence William removed to Hingbam. His house-lut wod on the south side of Pleasant Street. He had several sons, - among them Anthony, William, and John. This William removed to Rhode Island. Anthony, the eldest son, bad a nuinorous family. He lived and died in a house situated near that in which Mr. Samuel Gilbert now resides, at the place called "Over the River." Josiah Sprague was one of Anthony's sons; Isa^io was one of Josiab's six sons.

>^ Kdmund Pitts, oocording to Cushing's manuscripts, came over in 163V, with bis brother, Leonard Pitts, and Adum Foulsham. His grant of land was in 1637.

19 A memorandum of a descendant of Matthew Gushing mentions the date of bis arrival at Boston, Aug. lU, lti:iS. The name of his wife was Nazareth Pitcher. Their children, whose names follow, came with them to this country, viz., Daniel, Jeremiah, Matthew, Deborah, and John. Matthew Cushing, Sr., died Sept. 3U, 1660, aged about seventy-two years. He was probably the ancestor of all of the name in this country. His son, John, removed to Soituate, where bo wod aseleclman in 1676, a deputy, and afterwards (about the year I6U0) an assi^^tant. His son and grandson were judges of the Supreme Court of this State and the latter (Hon. William Gushing) of the Supremo Court of the United States.

'^ One of the same name removed to Rehobotb. He came from Attluboro', England. One of the same name was auioug the tirst inhabitants of Conohasset, perhaps a sun of the eldest John. I

Samuel Parker, Thomas Lincoln,' Jeremiah Moore, Mr. Henry Smith,' Bozoan Alleu,^ Matthew Hawke,' William Ripley.' All of those preceding; wlio came to this country in 1638 took passaj;e in the ship " Diligent," of Ipswich, Joiin Martin, master. In addition to these the following-named persons received grants of land in the year 1()38, viz.: John Buck, John Benson, Thomas Jones,'' Thomas Lawrence, John Stephens, John Stodder,' Widow Martha Wilder, Thomas Thaxter.»

^ llozoan Allen, *' tlio very good friend" of Mr. Ilobart. tlie tirst Luiuister, came from Lynn, En^jland. Ue was often a deputy, a military oHicer, and an inHuential citizen of Hinghum. Ue was very active in the military diCficultiea in ltJ44, 1645, etc. He removed to lioaton, where be died Sept. 14, 11152, a In a brief gcnealugy of the family of William Ripley, collected by one of his descendants', it is stated that lie " accompanied Mr. llobart in the new soitlement.*' If by this it is meant that ho ejiiiio to this country with Mr. Hobart, or that he was here before 163S, I am inclined to believe the statement ib erroneous. The grant of land to William Itipley is in I63ii, and in the list of settlers prepared by Mr. Cushing there is the following memorandum: "* lOiiS. William Uipley and his wife and twu sona und two daughters came from Old Ilinghum and settled in New Hinghum." His name is by him embraced, as above stated, in the list of thu.-e who took passage in the ship *- Diligent," of Ipswich. Ue was admitted a freeman May IS, 1012. lie died in July, U>5ti. Uis two sons were John and Abraham. John married a daughter of Uov. IV-tcr llobart. John had six sons, viz., John, Joshua, Jeremiah, Josiab, Peter, and Uczckiali. Of these, John und Peter died lu this j town; Joshua removed to iladdam, Cucu. ; Jeremiah, tu Kingston, Mass.; Josiab^ to Weymouth. Uei^ekiah died in Connecticut in lliUl. Peter bad three sons, - Peter, Nebemialt, and Ezra. Nehemiah removed tu Plymouth. Peter remained in llingham. lie had two sons, - Noah and Nehemiah. Noah removed to Barre. Nehemiah remained in llingham. His wife was a daughter of Rev. Nehemiah llobart, of Cohasset.

^ Thomas Thaxter, the common uneestor of all of the name in thi^ town and vicinicy. The name of his wife was Elizabeth. Ue died in 1054, bis wife surviving him. His sons who lived to manhood were John and Samuel. John had twelve children. Ue died March, 1086/7. Uis widow was married to Daniel Curbing, Esq. Three of the daughters of John married Cuahing.". One of his sun.'* was Col. Samuel Thaxter, a magistrate, delegate to the General Court, an asaistant, and otherwise distinguii^hed in public trusts, lie had four children, - Elizabeth, John, Samuel, and Sarah. Elizabeth was married tu Capt. John Norton, sou of Rev. John Norton, and afterwards to Col. Benjauiin Lincoln, father of the late (jen. Lincoln, of the Kevulutionary army. Samuel, U. U. 1714, married Sarah Mart-hall, of Duston, and (alter her decease) Mary Hawke, diiughler of James Hawke. She survived him, and was afterwards married tu Uuv. John Hancock, of Braintrec, father of Hun. John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress. Maj. Samuel ThiiNter, the son of Samuel and Surah, H. U. 174.'!, was one

In 1639, Anthony Hilliard and John Prince received granta of land. The names of Ho wet t (Huet*) and Liford are mentioned in Hobart 's " Diary'* in that year, and in the " Diary" the following names are 6rst found in the respective years

The number of persons who came over in the ship '* Diligent," of Ipswich, in the year 1638, and settled in Hingham, was one hundred and thirty-three. All that came before were forty-two, making in all one hundred and seventy-five. The whole number that came out of Norfolk (chiefly from Hingham and its vicinity) from 1633 to 1639, and settled in this Hingham, was two hundred and six. This statL-iuent, on the authority of the third town clerk of llingham, must be reconciled with the fact that there was a mucli larger number of settlers here in 1639 than would appear from 'his estimate. They undoubtedly came in from other places. Many of the names mentioned in the previous pages are now scattered in vaof the very few who etiuiiped tbo massucre nt Fort William Honry. Maj, Tha.vter had a numerous fuinily, am>iiig whom were the late Dr. Thomas Thaxter, Dr. Giidlcy Tha.vter, of Abington, Samuel, etc. The late Capt. Duncan M. I>. T'haxter waj} a sou of Samuel. John, the eldest son of Col. Samuel Tbaxter, married Grace Stockbridge, of Pembroke. Hi." ^uii, Col. John Tbaxter, II. U. 1741, was a delegate in 1772. John Tbaxter, Esq., of Uaverbill, was a sun of Col. John Tliaxtir. Deacon Joseph Tbaxter was u brother of Col. John Tbaxter, and father of the late Rev. Joseph Tbaxter, minister ot Kdgartown and a chaplain of the army of the Revolution. David Tha.vter was the only son of the eldest Samuel who lived to manhood. He married Alice Chabbuck. He had but mie ^un, David, who died in 1791, aged eighty-tluee.

9 The following singular accuuut of the eure of <inc ot this name of a distempered imagination is extracted from the ** History of New England" (Mass. Uis. Col., new ;erie;, vol. vL p. 442):

'* 1042. One Huet's wife, of Hingbam, having been lung in a sad melancholy distemper, near to frenzy, and having furmerly, in the year 1637, attempted tu drown her child, did novv again take her child of three years old, aud stri|<piiig it of u> clothes, threw it into the creek, but it, scrambling uut of the waiter und mud, came to the muthcr, who look It another liuie and threw it so far into the creek that it could not po^.-'ibly get uui ; yet by good providence a young man that aeeidcnt;iliy pa^icd by took it up. The mother conceived she bad sinned the .-in against the Holy Ghost. She was uflerwurda proceeded witli by church council, and by that means \vus drawn oil from tbo.-e Satanic delusions, and, alter the miinifeslations ol' repcnt:incc, was received into the chureli again, being brought tu a sound mind."

Simon Burr, the tirst of the name uf Burr in this i<<un. came from Dorchester, und wan related tu Itev. Jonatbim iWiri, an early minister in that town.

History Of Hingham. '

rious parta of the country. Many of the first settlors removed to other places during the militia difficulties which occurred within a few years after the settlement of the towu, and a considerable number had previously obtained lands at Rehoboth.'

Incorporation of the Town. - The town of Hingham was incorporated Sept. 2, 1635, and named from Hingham, in Norfolk, England, from whence the minister ;ind most of the settlers had emigrated. The first town-meeting was held in 1635, and the first representatives chosen from this town were Joseph Andrews and Nicholas Baker.' Joseph Andrews was also the first town clerk, chosen in 1638.

In 1635 Hingham was assessed £6; Weymouth, £4; Boston, £25 10s.; Salem, £16; and Newton and Dorchester, each £26 5». In August of the following year, however, the assessment for Hingham was raised to £8 10s.

In those early days a fine was imposed for nonattendance at town-meetings, and the arm of the law was also raised against him who should depart from the meeting " until the assembly be broken up or without leave." This order was passed by a vote of the town May 14, 1637, and was as follows:

" It '\* likfwise agreed upon by a joint consent and general vote of the freemen tliat whosoever :ihull absent himself from any meeting appointed, and shall have lawful warning of it, or shall otherwise come to the knowledge of the same meeting within special occasions approved of by the assembly or the miijor part of tho tVoeitieii then assembled; and further, it is likewise agreed upon that when assembled and be come together to agitate and determine of any business concerning the common good of Church or Commonwealth, not one shall depart until the assembly be broken up or without leave, upon tho payment of every such defect, one pei/c u/ Indian cum, as well for the not sLiying with the assembly being there assembled as for the not coming, having lawful warning or otherwise [having] knowledge of it. And likewise it is agreed upon, that every such line or tines shall be levied by the constable, and shall be carefully kept to the use of the town as hereafter shall be thought lit to eiupluy ii, and from the day of the date hereof it shall stand in force, unless it be found to be prejudicial and repealed."

Among the towns of which a considerable number of io- ' habitants originated in Hingham are Rehoboth, Wareham, | Cummiugtoo, Donnysville, and Perry (Maine). A few removed ! Io Swansea, Duxbury, Scituate, Barnstable, Lancaster, etc., and a large number to Boston.

The lulluwing names appear in Lancaster in 1654, viz.; Stephen Gates, Sr., James Whiting or Witton, John Towers, and Thomas Joslin. Persons of tho same names had previously received grants of land iu Hingham, and actually settled liere. The Peeks, of Rehoboth; Fearings, of Wareham; Clapps and Otisea, of Seituate; Oimocks and Otises, of Barnstable; Lineolns, of Taunton, New Uedford, Dennysville, and Perry, M«., etc., originated here.

''It is ordered and agreed upon by a joint consent, that the prices of laborers' wages and commodities within this town should be atlixed &a follows: Upon every commodity as well ix6 upon laborers' wages should be abated three pence upon the ihlliiuj of what has been formerly taken.

"In 1643, June 12, Anthony Eames, Samuel Ward, and Bozoan Allen had leave from the town to set up a corn-mill near the cove, on the condition that they paid any damage caused by flowago, &c. This mill was undoubtedly erected before the year 1G45, as we find recorded in November of that year, that Gowan Wilson was removed by the town from the office of miller."

" It appears," says Mr. Lincoln, " that at an early date, there was a controversy respecting a portion of the lands embraced within the limits of Nantasket or Nantascot. The inhabitants of Hingham claimed, and endeavored to maintain a title to them, as iu July, 1643, we find the following record, viz. : ' There is chosen by the town, Joseph Peck, Bozoan Allen, Anthony Eames, and Joshua Hubbard to go to the next court to make the best improvements of the evidence the town have tor the property of Nantascot, and to answer the suit that now depends, &c.' " It appears, however, that Hingham wa-s unsuccessful in this controversy. The following peremptory decision was under date September, 1643: " The former grant to Nantascot was again voted and confirm.ed, and Hingham was willing to forbear troubling the court any more about Nantascot."

These troubles, which no doubt seriously retarded the material as well as the religious welfare of Hingham, originated among the members of the luilitury company, and gradually enlisted tho feelings of the entire town. The church became involved in the matter, and it subsequently was taken coguizauce of by neighboring clmrches, and finally the controversy was carried to sucli length that the government was calK'd upon to interfere. Johnson, in his " Wonder Working Providence" in 1654, says, "The people joyned in church covenant in this place were made about one hundred soules, but have been lessened by a sad unbrotherly contention which fell out among them, waiting chem every way, continued already for seven years space to the great grief of all other churches,"

-* 1045. This court fell out ii troublesome business which took up Uiuci) time. The town of Jlingbuui, having uoe Kmes their Utiutenunt seven or eight yeiirs, had lately chosen hiiu to be their uiiptain, anU hail presenced him to the standing council fur utluwaDce; but before it was accomplished the greater part of the town took fome light occuson of otlence again:»t hiui, and cliujc unu Alien to be their captain, and prcaeuted him to the magistrates (id the time uf the last general court) to be allowed. But the mngistrates, considering the injury that would hereby accrue to Ernes (who had been their chief commander so many years, and bad deserved well iu his place, and that Allen had no other skill but what he learned from Ernes), refused to allow of Allen, but willed both £>ides to return home, aud evaiy ulHcer to keep his place until llie court sliould take further order. Upon their return home, the messengers who came for Allen called a private meeting of those of their own party, aud told them truly wtiat answer they received from the magistrates, and boun after they appointed a training day (withuut their lieutenant's knowledge), and, being assembled, the lieutenant hearing of it came to them, and would have exercised them as he was wont to du, but those of the other party refused to follow him, except be would show them some order for it. He told them of the magistrate's order about it ; the others replied that authority had advised hiiu to go hoiue and lay down his place honourably. Another asked what the magii'tratcs had to do with them? Another, that it was but three or four of the magistrates, aod if they had been all there it had been nothing, fur Mr. Allen had brought more for them from the deputies than the lieutenant liad from the magistrates. Another of tbem professcth he will die at the sword's point, if he might not have the choice of his own othcers. Another (viz., the clerk of the band) stands up above the people, and requires them to vote, wliether they wuutd bear tbem out in what was pa^^t aud what was to come. This being assented unto, and the tumult continuing, one of the othcers (he wliu had told them tliul authority had advii^ed the licuteoant to go hoioeand lay duwn his phice) required Alteu to take the captain's plaue ; but he not then accepting it, they put it to vote, whether should be their cii[>tiiin. The vu(e pushing for it, ho then tuld the euiiipany it Wiis now p:Lft quebtiuD, und thereupun Allen acci-pled it, antl e.xereiscil the cunipuny two or three days, uniy about ii third part uf them followed the lieutenant, lie having denied in the open held thut authoriry had advised him to lay duwu bis place, and puttiug (iu some awl] thu tie upon thuse who had so reported, was the next Lord's day calletl to answer it before the church, and he standing to maintain what he bad said, five witnesses were produced to convince him. Some of them alhrmed the words, the others explained tbeir meaning tu he, that one magistrate had so advised him. lie denied both.